1877-04-02At a legal meeting of the qualified voters of the town of Beverly, held at the Town Hall in said town
on Monday the Second day of April in the year Eighteen Hundred and Seventy Seven at Two
o'clock, afternoon, said meeting being an adjournment of the Annual town meeting held on the Fifth
day of March in the same year, it was
Voted by hand vote
that Isaac Standley be Surveyor of Highways, Ward 5 in place of Charles Elliott declined
that Elisha Pride be Field Driver in Ward 3 in place of Jeremiah Linnehan declined
that William H. Preston by Field Driver in Ward 4 in place of Henry Blanchard declined
that John G. Drown be Field Driver in Ward 7 in place of Charles H. M. Dickinson declined
that Isaiah H. Dodge be Field Driver in Ward 9 in place of John G. Brown declined
that Sumner E. Glines be Field Driver in Ward 10 in place of Charles W. Lord declined
that Benjamin E. Smith be Field Driver in Ward 11 in place of Winthrop L. Porter
The Report of the Selectmen and Assessors upon the Inspection of the Water Works and the
Collection of the Water Rates, was read and accepted and is as follows
"The Joint Committee of the Assessors & Selectmen, to whom was referred the motion at
our last annual meeting of Mr. Joseph E. Ober, as amended by Hon. John I. Baker, in regard to the
Inspection, making the bills and collections of the Water Rates, - Would report that they have
considered the subject, and are of a unanimous opinion, that the most economical plan for the town,
would be for the Superintendent to make the Inspection, the Town Clerk to keep the accounts, and
make the Bills for Water taken through Meters quarterly, and allowing ten days time for payment
after the delivery of the Bills. Water supplies to families, and for other purposes by the year the bills
to be made on or before the first day of July of each year, when the Superintendent should distribute
the bills to be made payable to the Town Treasurer within Sixty Days after presentation, and is not
paid at the expiration of that time, the Superintendent shall cut off the supply. And all Water bills
now due for the years 1875 & 6 be immediately paid, or the Water to be shut off under the general
direction of the Selectmen, for the time being.
Respectfully submitted
Geo. A. Woodberry 2d Assessors
Chas. L. Williams of
Daniel Foster Beverly
Joseph Wilson
J. H. Young
Henry W. Foster Selectmen of Beverly
N. H. Foster
Freebom W. Cressy
The Report of the Selectmen upon a Receiving Tomb at North Beverly was read, and is as
follows. - "The board of Selectmen Report on the matter of a Receiving Tomb at North Beverly. That
from the best information they can obtain, while such a tomb would be a convenience to a limited
extent to the inhabitants of that section of the town, it is not a positive necessity. Should the town
decide to construct a tomb, such a one as in the judgement of the Selectmen should be erected either
of brick with stone front entirely above ground, or of stone with arched brick roof covered with earth
with stone front with cost $300 to $350.
Joseph Wilson
Freeborn W. Cressy
Henry W. Foster
Selectmen of Beverly
When upon motion of Robert R. Endicott, it was
Voted That the whole subject of the foregoing report be indefinitely postponed.
The Report of the Committee appointed at the Annual Meeting in March last to consider the subject
of the Town insuring the property within the town was read, and accepted. And is as follows. "The
Committee appointed to consider the expediency of having the town insure the property of its
inhabitants against fire, would report that the principle is not a new one in theory at least as by Chap.
437 of the Acts of 1855, any town and City was authorized at its election to become an incorporated
mutual fire insurance company, with power and authority within the limits of such town or city
against loss or damage by fire." This law however was repealed before any use was made of its
provisions, therefore we have no knowledge of any practice on the principal proposed. But it has
been discussed more or less for years and many favorably impressed with the idea, as one that can
be made practicable and profitable. The average losses by fire in this town have been about $5000
per year while the premium paid for insurance much exceed that sum estimated at about $15,000. -
Now in order to act intelligently upon this subject it is desirable to know accurately, or as near as
may be the actual amount of property insured in the town and the cost of said insurance, and we
would recommend that the Assessors in canvassing the town as to the property of its people be
requested to make enquiry of all as to the amount each has insured and the cost thereof, and thereby
an approximate result might be reached which would be valuable as a guide for future action in this
matter, and the same would be in search for future legislative action if the ascertained result would
seem to make it desirable to proceed.
For the Comm. G. Obear Chairman
On motion of John H. Young
Voted that the Assessors be requested to carry out the suggestions made in the Report of the
Insurance Committee. 64 in favor - 17 opposed.
On motion of Francis S. Lovett
Voted that the several boards of Town Officers report to the Auditor all outstanding bills against the
several departments, contracted by them
A motion offered by Charles L. Burnham, that the Town Treasurer receive no extra compensation
for receiving the Water Rate was put to the meeting and lost.
When upon Motion of Robert R. Endicott, it was,
Voted that the Sum of Fifty Dollars be added to the Salary of the Town Treasurer for the Collection
of the Water Rates.
A motion offered by Jeremiah Murphy, that the salaries of the Town Clerk and Superintendent of
the Water Works be increased fifty dollars each was put to the meeting and lost.
Voted that the meeting be dissolved. And it was so declared by the moderator.
A true record
Attest
James Hill
Town Clerk